Health

Your dog’s dental health is very important. Healthy teeth and gums are the first step in the utilisation of the important nutrients your dog’s food provides. The ability to effectively chew food is a vital precondition for digestion. Signs of Healthy Teeth and Gums • Chewing reduces kibbles to smaller pieces that allows for the optimal digestion and utilisation of nutrients. • Feeding an appropriate diet to your pet can help to limit plaque and tartar build-up. • Check your dog regularly for signs of plaque and tartar build-up and see your veterinarian on a routine basis for examination and cleaning, if necessary.

Bones and joints benefit from a properly balanced diet. Although we think of bones and joints as static, or completely developed once adulthood is reached, they are constantly restructuring themselves. Therefore, to stay healthy, they need a constant supply of nutrients including protein, water, and minerals like calcium and phosphorous. Signs of Healthy Joints and Bones Here are some signs that may help identify bone and joint health: • Normal range of motion and flexibility. • Ability to perform routine tasks or movements, i.e. climb stairs, jump up or down, or play. • Cat exhibits the proper posture or stance. • Continued ability and interest in play and/or exercise.

Healthy dogs are usually alert, curious about their environment and have a good appetite. Outward Signs Although the immune system generally functions on the inside, there are some outward signs that indicate robust good health: • Sleek, shiny coat • Active and energetic • Clear, bright eyes • Alert posture • Normally healthy skin; supple skin • Healthy gums • Good lung capacity; easy breathing • Strong muscles, healthy lungs • Resistance to disease

Healthy skin and a shiny, well-groomed coat not only enhances your dog’s appearance, it makes your dog feel more comfortable and less prone to skin irritation and external parasites. Signs of Healthy Coat and Skin • Normal, healthy skin colour ranges from pale pink through to shades of brown to black. • Healthy skin is smooth, pliable and free from dandruff and odours. Signs of Healthy Eyes • Clear, bright eyes which are free of discharge are also a sign that your dog is feeling their best.

Digestibility is the percentage of a food’s protein and other nutrients available and utilised by your dog. Assuming your dog is in good health, digestibility can be judged by their stool quality and volume. Small, firm stools are a sign that better nutrition is making a difference inside your dog and less of the food is passing through as waste. Any one of a number of factors influence digestibility: FORMULA OF THE FOOD BEING FED The digestibility of the food will vary as the ingredient composition varies. NUTRITIONAL BALANCE The correct ratio of nutrients in the diet helps to ensure efficient utilisation of them by your dog. INGREDIENT QUALITY Lower quality ingredients can affect the digestibility of a pet food. PROCESSING Even a formula of good quality ingredients can have its digestibility reduced by over-cooking or over-processing.

Physical wellbeing How to keep your small dog fit and well, as he grows and matures Although every small dog breed is unique, most will share the same health care needs. Regular check-ups by your vet can prevent health problems developing, and it also helps your small dog become familiar with the veterinary practice, the things that go on and the people who work there. Vaccinations protect against serious illnesses, like viruses, and regular flea and worming treatments help keep parasites at bay. Establish a vaccination routine Whatever your small dog’s age, he will need vaccinations or boosters every year to protect against potentially fatal diseases. Keep your small dog’s vaccination record in a safe place, and ask your vet’s practice if it offers a vaccination reminder service – if more than 15 months passes between boosters, your small dog may have to start his vaccination program again. Your small dog may feel a little feverish after a vaccination, but he should soon recover. If you have any concerns after a vaccination, always contact your vet. Watch out for common illnesses Your small dog may suffer from a tummy bug or dry, flaky skin at some stage in his life – these are both common health conditions and a trip to your vet should put your mind at rest. Sometimes, a gradual change to your small dog’s feeding plan can make a positive difference. While large dog breeds are prone to arthritis in old age, small dog breeds are less vulnerable. However, if your small dog appears to be limping, or having trouble getting up, always have a chat with your vet. Prevent accidents Small dogs can have unexpected accidents. Avoid ‘ticks’ (a nasty parasite that often resides in long grass) and eye damage from sharp spiky plants, by walking your small dog in open spaces. Never try to deal with ticks yourself – they are tricky things to remove and are best tackled by your vet. You can prevent choking by only giving your small dog pieces of food that are small enough to chew and swallow easily. Also, use a ball rather than a stick for playing fetch. Keep them off high surfaces where they may fall and injure themselves. Simple dental care Dental hygiene is extremely important. You can help your small dog to keep his teeth clean by feeding dental chews and encouraging play with rubber toys he can chew on to help clean his teeth. With patient practice, you can also brush your small dog’s teeth regularly with a soft finger brush and a pet-safe toothpaste – after a mealtime. Start with the side teeth towards the front, rather than the incisors, and brush the outer surfaces of the teeth in a gentle circular action – try to keep your brush at 45° to the gum-line. Dental problems are very painful and could lead to infection. Watch out for swollen gums, bad breath and drooling – if your small dog shows any of these symptoms, have a chat with your vet. Stay active Although it is tempting to scoop up and carry your small dog if you are in a hurry, it is important to help him stay active at every age. Regular exercise will boost your small dog’s energy levels, keep his weight stable, and maintain a healthy heart and a strong immune system. Healthy ways to exercise Vary your routine by walking at different times of the day and visiting different places. Young small dogs will also appreciate walking on soft surfaces like grass and sand until their paw-pads have hardened. Remember not to overdo it though, and try not to exercise your small dog soon after a meal. Always watch him when you are away from home, in case he tries to eat or drink something he should not. Offer him fresh water and a cuddle after a walk or a lively game.

Time to Grow How to plan and prepare for your small dog’s needs as he grows and develops Unlike some large dog breeds that can reach an unhealthy weight with too much food and not enough exercise, small dog breeds and toy dog breeds burn calories quickly. In fact, a Pomeranian needs more than twice as many calories per kilogram as a Great Dane. With regular exercise and the right diet, it is unlikely that your pet will develop into an overweight small dog. But it is still very important to keep an eye on your small dog’s weight, his shape and his energy levels, as he grows from a puppy into adulthood, or from an adult into a senior dog. Learn about body conditioning Your vet will probably use a system called ‘body conditioning’ to check if your small dog’s weight is fine. This means to do an evaluation of his body shape and fat stores, standing behind your small dog and looking at his shape, from the side and from above. Your vet will also feel your small dog’s rib cage, around his neck and underneath his belly. On a healthy, active small dog, you should be able to feel his ribs and see the definition of his waist, and his tummy should not droop downwards. There should be no fat around his neck, either. Ideal weight & shape Every small dog breed is different so it is important to ask your vet what a healthy weight and shape should look like for your small dog’s breed – for example, the ideal weight for a miniature Dachshund (around 4.5kg) is very different to that of a standard Dachshund (up to 12kg). Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu breeds both have a thick, fluffy coat, which can make these small dogs look heavier than they really are. Mealtimes with bite Small stomachs and little mouths give small dogs a healthy appetite – especially at the puppy stage when your small dog will use up the energy from each meal in a matter of hours. Feeding little and often – up to three or four meals a day – is advisable. Your small dog will appreciate nutritionally complete dry recipes with smaller pieces of crunchy kibble or moist meals with small chunks of meat and vegetables – either of which will be easy for your small dog to chew and digest. Make regular checks If your small dog has a healthy weight and shape right now, take a photo. Then set up a reminder in your diary to check and note your small dog’s weight and shape every two months – including a photo each time. If you do notice any obvious increase or loss of weight, always contact your vet for advice. Deal with fussy eating Some small dog breeds, such as the Bichon Frise and the Yorkshire terrier, are known to be picky eaters, and will often leave meals unfinished. Keeping an eye on your small dog’s weight and body condition will make sure any loss of weight does not go unnoticed. It also means you can gradually make effective changes to your small dog’s feeding plan over a two-week period. Small dog feeding tips Fussy eaters will appreciate little meals, served more often – up to three times a day. The best choice is a nutritionally complete dog food for small dogs – either dry food with small pieces of crunchy kibble to suit little mouths, and/or moist meals with small chunks of meat and vegetables. Both options are easy for your small dog to chew and digest. Avoid feeding your pet titbits or leftovers from the family meal table and, if you have several small dogs, monitor meal times so you know exactly how much each of your small dogs is eating.

A large breed dog is a dog over 25kg at maturity and a giant breed is over 34kg. Large and giant breed dogs have unique needs and can benefit from a dog food formula designed just for them. Big dogs have big appetites, but they also have slower metabolisms than their smaller cousins, so they require fewer calories and less fat from their food to maintain a healthy, lean body condition. Maintaining a lean body condition in large breed dogs has been proven in research to be the number one factor in decreasing health related issues that larger dogs are susceptible to. At the same time,bigger breedsneed to develop and support a large, strong skeletal system and powerful joints, which means an additional requirement for minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Glucosamine is also really important in a large breed formula as it is the building block for cartilage which helps protect your dog’s bones and joints from wear and tear. It’s particularly important not to over-feed large and giant breed dogs, not just because of the usual health problems that result for all dogs, but also because if their weight outstrips the ability of their frame to support it, there’s a real risk of deformities, especially during their youth. Specially prepared large-breed formulas have larger, more satisfying kibbles to encourage big dogs to chew for longer, slowing the rate of eating and helping them get the most out of their food – as well as reducing the temptation to over-feed. The reduced fat content takes into account their slower metabolism and helps control weight gain and minimise the impact on joints and other vital organs. However the nutrients and vitamins associated with the synthesis and repair of the joints are in good supply ensuring a balanced diet despite reduced calorie intake. Obesity is a common nutritional disorder in all large dogs and needs to be monitored carefully. Overweight dogs are more likely to develop diabetes, heart and respiratory problems and arthritis.

A puppy’s feeding schedule depends on his age. Younger puppies need more frequent meals. Older puppies can eat less often. Feeding your new puppy is one of the most important things you can do to lay the foundation for adult doghood. Proper nutrition from a complete and balancedpuppy foodhas a positive impact on your puppy’s growth and development. So, how often should you feed a puppy? How Many Times a Day Should a Puppy Eat? Regardless of age, it’s important to establish a feeding schedule for your puppy. A set schedule will help withpotty training, as you’ll have a better sense of when your puppy needs to go outside. Puppies Less than 6 Months Old Most puppies are fully weaned from mother’s milk between six and eight weeks. Once weaned, puppies should get three scheduled feedings a day. Make sure you know the total amount of food he needs per day based on his weight and divide that amount among the three feedings. Ourpuppy feeding chartoffers a more in-depth look at feeding amounts. You should also refer to the label on the back of your puppy’s food for more information on how much to feed. Puppies 6 Months to 1 Year Old Around six months of age, decrease the number of feedings to twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. Again, you’ll want to take the total amount of food he needs in a day and divide it between the two meals. 1 Year & Up Many puppies reach maturity around their first birthday. Somelarge breedstake 18 months to 2 years to fully mature. Once your puppy has reached full maturity based on his breed size, you can feed him once or twice a day. Choose the feeding schedule that works best for both you and your dog. At this point, you’ll also want totransition your puppy to an adult dog food. Feeding a puppy food to adult dogs could cause him to become overweight because it has more calories. Remember, you can always refer to the feeding instructions on the food label or consult your veterinarian with any questions. Regardless of your puppy’s age, it’s important to stick to your feeding schedule. Establishing a routine helps your puppy learn what to expect. Visit our Pet Expertisepage for moreexperttips on puppy nutrition, training and more.

The decisions you make about your puppy’s nutrition will affect his growth, development and even his behavior. Feeding your puppy ahigh-quality, complete and balancedpuppy foodhelps set him up for a long and healthy life as an adult dog. This raises a lot of questions for first-time (and even veteran) puppy owners, though. How much should you feed your puppy and when? When should you stop feeding puppy food? Get answers to these questions and more in our complete puppy feeding guide below. Our experts answer your questions and offer advice to help set you and your puppy up for success. What to Feed a Puppy When it comes to feeding puppies, there are a lot of factors to consider. Overall nutrition, breed size and the type of food all play a role. Here’s what you need to know: Puppy Nutrition Puppies need puppy food. Feeding puppies a complete and balanced puppy food ensures they get theproper nutritionto develop and grow into healthy adult dogs. Puppy foods are formulated with a balance of nutrients to help puppies grow up healthy and happy. Look for formulas rich in high-quality proteins to support their growing bodies. Fat and carbohydrates supply the energy active and playful puppies need, while calcium supports developing teeth and bones and DHA helps support healthy brain and vision development. Feeding Puppies Large & Small Not only do puppies need puppy food, but certain breed sizes can benefit from size-specific formulas. If you have a large breed puppy, he may benefit from alarge breed-specific puppy formula. Small breeds can also benefit fromsmall breed-specific puppy formulas. Regardless of breed size, the food should be complete and balanced for growing puppies. The difference in formulas comes down to the unique needs of large and small breeds. Large dogs have a higher risk of developing joint problems, so a large breed puppy food should include proper levels of nutrients to support their healthy growth and development. Small breeds may prefer smaller kibble so they can more easily chew their food, which helps ensure they get all the nutrients they need. According to Purina Nutritionist, Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS,“Small breed-specific dog food is important due to their increased metabolism. This results in a nutrient-dense, high-energy formula which adults and puppies need to support a healthy lifestyle.” Dry vs. Wet Puppy Food Althoughdry kibbleis a popular choice, it’s not the only option. As you walk the dog food aisles, you may see both dry andwet puppy foods. This can make it harder to decide what to feed your puppy. Fortunately, as long as both the wet and dry formulas are complete and balanced for growing puppies, you can feed either one to your pup with confidence. You and your puppy may have a preference when it comes to dry versus wet. Feeding a combination of the two is also an option. According to Purina Nutritionist, Allison Millican, Ph D, “If you’re feeding your puppy a combination of wet and dry food, it is extremely important to ensure the total caloric value does not fall short or exceed their daily energy requirement. Use the calories reported on the package to understand how much wet food will replace the dry and vice versa. This allows you to calculate the amount of each product needed to meet your puppy’s nutritional requirements.” “For example,” Millican explains, “one thirteen-ounce can of wet puppy food may contain four hundred and seventy-five kilocalories and replace approximately one cup of a dry puppy formula with a similar value of kilocalories per cup. In this scenario, you could substitute a thirteen-ounce can of wet food for one cup of the daily dry food recommendation. “Remember puppies will grow at various rates and body condition may change rapidly,” she says. “As a result, it is extremely important to monitor your puppy’s body condition and adjust calorie intake as needed to prevent over- or underfeeding your puppy,” Millican continues. The brand websites and your veterinarian are great resources and can help you develop a feeding plan specifically for your puppy’s needs. How Much to Feed a Puppy Now you know what to feed your puppy, but just how much food does he need each day? Because puppies grow at such fast rates, they need to start eating a complete and balanced puppy food as soon as they’re weaned, usually between six and eight weeks. The amount of food your puppy needs depends on how much he’ll weigh at maturity. ALabrador Retrieverwill weigh more at maturity than a Russell Terrier, for example. So, the larger dog requires more food as a puppy. The chart below can help you determine how much dry food to feed your puppy. You should also review the specific feeding instructions on the back of his puppy food and consult with your veterinarian. Puppy Feeding Chart Weight at MaturityWeight at Maturity1-1/2 - 3 Months4 - 5 Months6 - 8 Months9 - 11 Months1 - 2 Years(lbs)(kg)(cups)(cups)(cups)(cups)(cups)3 - 121.4 - 5.41/2 - 12/3 - 1-1/31/2 - 1-1/2Feed as AdultFeed as Adult13 - 205.9 - 9.11/2 - 1-1/41-1/8 - 23/4 - 1-1/31 - 1-1/2Feed as Adult21 - 509.5 - 22.71/2 - 1-1/21-1/2 - 2-3/41-1/8 - 2-1/32 - 32 - 4-1/451 - 7523.1 - 34.05/8 - 2-1/31-1/2 - 41-1/2 - 3-3/42-1/2 - 4-3/42-5/8 - 6-1/476 - 10034.5 - 45.41 - 2-2/32-7/8 - 3-3/42-7/8 - 6-1/33-7/8 -75-5/8 - 11101 lbs and overOver 45.4 kg2-2/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs3-3/4 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs6-1/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs7 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs11 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs *These are generic recommendations only. Please check the package for product specific feeding recommendations. **Nestlé Purina Research indicates that avoiding overfeeding of puppies may help their development. Maintaining ideal body condition is key to encouraging proper growth in all puppies, especially large breeds. The indicated amounts are only a guideline. If your puppy becomes overweight, a reduction of your puppy’s daily food intake may be appropriate. As puppies near adulthood, their calorie needs may drop, and your puppy may begin leaving some food in the bowl. Don't misinterpret this as an indication of dislike for the food. Instead, begin offering less so your puppy doesn't overeat and stays in ideal body condition. You may wish to consult your veterinarian about a weight control program. Our puppy feeding chart is a starting point to help you determine how much dry kibble to feed your puppy. Consult the puppy food package for more specific feeding instructions or talk with your veterinarian. When to Feed a Puppy Once you know the daily feeding amount, you need to create apuppy feeding schedule. Take the total amount of food your puppy needs each day and divide that into two to three smaller meals. Give those smaller amounts to him at regular intervals each day. An easy puppy feeding schedule to follow is to feed him when you eat—at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Remember to feed him early in the evenings so he has time to digest his food before bedtime. This can help prevent accidents inside. Consistency is key. Feeding puppies at consistent times each day helps them get used to the routine. When to Stop Feeding Puppy Food Eventually, you’ll need tostop feeding puppy foodand switch him to a complete and balanced adult dog food. This transition is dictated by breed size, just as the amount to feed a puppy depends on his breed. Larger breeds may take longer to reach full maturity, so he may need puppy food for up to two years. In general, however, expect to make the transition to adult dog food between one and two years of age. Talk with your veterinarian to determine the right time to make the switch and for tips on making the change easy on your pup. What about Puppy Treats? How can you resist rewarding your puppy with some tasty treats? In fact, treats make an effective training tool It’s important to keep the 90/10 rule in mind, whether you’re rewarding your puppy for good behavior or just want him to feel loved. Of his daily calories, 90 percent should come from his complete and balanced puppy food. The other10 percent can come from treats. Following the 90/10 rule can help prevent weight gain and other health problems in adulthood. Those puppy eyes are hard to resist, but remember, you’re building—and training—a dog. Don’t give in to feeding him human food when he begs. Not only are somehuman foods toxic to dogs, but you’re rewarding undesirable behaviors, which will be harder to break later. By referencing the puppy feeding chart above and following the 90/10 rule, you can set your pup up for a long, healthy and happy life with you. Explore all our puppy foodoptions to find a tasty formula he’ll love. For more tips on puppy nutrition, behavior and more from ourexperts, visit our Pet Expertise page.

Good nutrition is essential for all dogs, but it’s especially important for growing puppies who require different nutrients than older dogs. The first year of your puppy’s life is critical to his development. Smaller breeds should receive a specific puppy formula for at least the first year of their lives whereas larger breeds that are still growing at 12 months should continue to receive puppy food until they are 18-24 months. When you’re feeding a puppy, it’s extremely important to not over-feed and to keep him at a healthy weight. Our research has shown that keeping your puppy at his ideal body condition can encourage proper growth and help prevent future health problems related to obesity. Make sure to place your puppy’s food and water bowls in a quiet, clean place that he can easily reach. Find a place that’s out of the way, so he won’t get distracted, and feed him away from places with human food like the stove, the refrigerator, or the dining table. Feeding your puppy the same amount of food at the same time every day can help keep his digestive system regular — and it’ll help make toilet training easier. Puppies eat a lot more food than an adult dog to help support all their rapid growth. From birth up until 6 months a puppy will need two to four times as much food as an adult dog! Puppies need food that helps them grow healthy and strong, and builds their immune system. Food that contains: • Protein for muscle development • Minerals like calcium and phosphorus to support bones and teeth • A good level of fat for growth and energy • Antioxidants for immunity • DHA, which is an omega fatty acid found in mother’s milk that helps with brain development and vision

Have you noticed your dog limping for a few steps or holding one of their back legs raised from the ground? This might be a sign of kneecap dislocation, also known as a luxating patella. This condition is actually quite common in dogs, especially when it comes to diminutive breeds. Here is what you need to know about luxating patellas in dogs and how to decide when it’s time to take your pooch to the vet for a check-up. What is a luxating patella in dogs? A ‘luxating patella’ means that the kneecap (or patella) is slipping out of its normal position in the groove of the thigh bone. Don’t worry, you won’t need X-ray vision to notice that your dog’s kneecap is out of place. Instead, what you’ll usually see is your dog limping or walking with the affected leg in an abnormal position for a few seconds, and then going back to their normal stride once the kneecap has popped back into place.